“Scars beyond Skin: A Critical Examination of Existing Legislation, Law Enforcement, Judicial Response and Recommendations for Improvementsâ€

Acid attack or violence is considered to be one of the most worldwide problems which affects everyone irrespective of their creed, caste, sex or age. In present scenario, the violence is considered to be one of the most burning issues. Acid violence is considered such violence where the offender intentionally throw acid on the victim’s body with a heinous intention of disfiguring, maiming or blinding him. However, it was also found that victim is also suffering and undergoing through internal suffering and psychological traumas while the assailants who commits this heinous offence get minimal punishment for the commission of the heinous act. This offence is considered to be a gender-neutral offence but in India statistics shows that the percentage of female victim is more as compared to male victim. And as a comparison with the international scenario countries such as Bangladesh, Taiwan, Cambodia, and Pakistan the male victims here commonly affected due the commission of the offence of acid attack. Hydrochloric, Sulfuric and nitric acid is considered to be most commonly used acid in committing the offence of acid attack. The reason behind increase in the number of attack is the reliable accessibility of this in the market with a lacuna of legislation in order to monitor and regulate the sale of acid and along with the present punitive legislation of Indian legal system is considered to be incompetent in curbing the offence of acid attack. The study will try to highlight the reasons behind the commission of the offence of acid attack long with its consequences behind the commission. The study will also make an attempt to compare the present legislation of India with other countries in relation to offence of acid attack.